The Russian hockey team just ruined the Sochi Olympics for Russia

It was said in the lead-up to the Olympics that Russia could go without a medal in the first 97 events in Sochi, but as long as the hockey team won gold on the final Sunday of the Games, the 2014 Winter Olympics would be a rousing success.

Remember that Olympic ring that didn’t open at the Opening Ceremony? The hockey team losing in the quarters is like if four rings didn’t light up, then the one that did crashed to the ground, exploded and resulted in those cuddly mascots catching on fire. Russia’s collapse is the most disappointing Olympic result for a host nation in decades (if not ever).

There is no recent parallel. Other countries have their eggs in many baskets. If the Dream Team had lost in the 1996 Olympics, Michael Johnson was there to save the Games for the United States. When China’s big hurdling star, Liu Xiang, had to withdraw in Beijing, there were 51 other gold medals to salve the wounds. For host countries without massive medal aspirations, such as Great Britain in 2012 or Italy in 2006, everything feels like a bonus. Not in Sochi. Even though Russia will finish at, or near, the top of the medal count, it’s going to be small consolation when three foreign flags hang at the Bolshoy Ice Dome on Sunday.

(USA TODAY Sports Images)

As the clock hit zero on Wednesday and stunned fans shuffled out into the Sochi evening, a song blared over the PA system. It was Avicci’s crossover techno hit Wake Me Up.

“Wake me up when it’s all over.”

Time to wake up, Russia. There are four more nights of the 2014 Winter Olympics. For all intents and purposes, Russia’s ended on Wednesday.

#sochiproblems just got very, very real. It was said in the lead-up to the Olympics that Russia could go without a medal in the first 97 (…)

I found this on FTW and wanted to share:
%link%
For more great sports stories ...
*visit For The Win: https://www.ftw.usatoday.com
*follow @ForTheWin: https://www.twitter.com/forthewin
*like FTW on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usatodayftw